Lighting Question (watts)?

Question

I have a lamp base that says to only use 25 watt bulbs. I bought a 26 watt CFL. Now would this be safe to use in the lamp base since it's only 1 watt over? Or should I use something else?

Thanks

Answer 1

You will be fine as long as the bulb fits and works.  Those ratings are always "on the safe side" and have some "wiggle room".

If you tried to use a 50 watt bulb, that would be pushing it.

Answer 2

On top of the other answerer's, the box label will tell you what the equivalent wattage will be between a CFL type and incandescent light.  Right now, a CFL 26 W lamp is equivalent to a 100 W incandescent light in light intensity.  Plenty of "wiggle room" as one of the above called it.

Answer 3

You're fine.  The bulb size limit is due to heat.  A CFL doens't generate anywhere near the heat an incandescent bulb does.